Author: John Bass

Paul Heyman Returns On WWE SmackDown, Introduces CM Punk As OG Bloodlines 5th War Games Team Member

Friday night’s episode of WWE SmackDown delivered one of the most electrifying moments of the year as CM Punk made his much-anticipated return. Joining the original Bloodline team for War Games, Punk’s comeback was orchestrated by none other than Paul Heyman, who also made a dramatic return to the fold.

Punk had been absent from WWE television, selling injuries sustained during his brutal Hell in a Cell victory over Drew McIntyre at Bad Blood. Fans were left guessing who would fill the fifth spot for the babyface War Games team, and the answer came in epic fashion when Heyman interrupted a tense in-ring confrontation between the two teams.

Solo Sikoa’s Power Play Backfires

Earlier in the night, Solo Sikoa took center stage, attempting to gain control of the narrative. With the opposing team seemingly unable to secure a fifth member, Sikoa called out Roman Reigns and the OG Bloodline faction for what he labeled “terms of surrender.”

Sikoa delivered an emotional plea laced with threats, telling Reigns and his crew that they could dominate WWE for decades if they joined forces. He wasn’t shy about pointing out Roman’s lack of a “Wise Man” or a fifth ally, raising the stakes with the ominous ultimatum: surrender and align with him, or face destruction.

The tension in the ring was palpable as Sikoa handed Reigns the microphone. But before Reigns could respond, Paul Heyman made his presence known.

Heyman’s Surprise and Punk’s Explosive Entrance

In classic Heyman style, the legendary advocate interrupted with a dramatic apology for his absence, referencing the brutal table spot at Madison Square Garden that took him out of action. Heyman then dropped the bombshell—War Games would indeed be five-on-five, revealing CM Punk as the final member of the OG Bloodline team.

As the unmistakable sound of Cult of Personality (Punk’s entrance music) hit, the crowd erupted. Punk sprinted down the ramp, wasting no time in igniting a brawl. The chaotic clash saw Punk and Roman Reigns dominate, with Tonga Loa and Tama Tonga each falling victim to a spear and Punk’s signature Go to Sleep (GTS).

The night ended on a powerful visual, as Paul Heyman stood on the ring apron, smiling broadly at the alliance between Punk and Reigns.

What’s Next for War Games?

With CM Punk’s return and his alignment with the original Bloodline, the War Games match has gone from must-see to absolutely unmissable. The dynamic between Punk, Reigns, and Heyman adds a layer of intrigue, as does the question of how Solo Sikoa will respond after his failed coup attempt.

SmackDown has officially raised the stakes for Survivor Series, and fans are eager to see what chaos unfolds when War Games hits the cage. Will Punk and Reigns be able to coexist, or is this alliance destined for implosion?

BONUS: CM Punk and The OG Bloodline stand tall: SmackDown exclusive, Nov. 22, 2024

AEW Full Gear 11/23/2024 (Card)

AEW Full Gear – Saturday, November 23 – Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey

AEW WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP:
Jon Moxley (c) vs. Orange Cassidy

AEW INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP:
Konosuke Takeshita (c) vs. Ricochet

Kyle Fletcher vs. Will Ospreay

AEW TNT CHAMPIONSHIP:
Jack Perry (c) vs. Daniel Garcia

AEW TBS CHAMPIONSHIP:
Mercedes Moné (c) (with Kamille) vs. Kris Statlander

Swerve Strickland vs. Bobby Lashley

AEW WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP:
Private Party (c) vs. The Outrunners vs. Kings of the Black Throne (Malakai Black and Brody King) vs. The Acclaimed

MJF vs. Roderick Strong

Jay White vs. “Hangman” Adam Page

[ZERO HOUR]
Deonna Purrazzo (with Taya Valkyrie) vs. Anna Jay

[ZERO HOUR]
“Big Boom!” A.J. (with Big Justice) vs. Q. T. Marshall

[ZERO HOUR]
Dante Martin vs. The Beast Mortos vs. Komander vs. Buddy Matthews

AEW Rampage Preview 11/22/2024

AEW Rampage tonight on TNT/

  • The Dark Order vs. The Conglomeration (Mark Briscoe, Tomohiro Ishii & Rocky Romero)
  • Mariah May & Mina Shirakawa vs. Nyla Rose & Harley Cameron
  • Juice Robinson vs. The Butcher
  • QT Marshall and Big Boom! AJ Weigh-In for AEW Full Gear Zero Hour

WWE SmackDown Preview 11/22/2024

WWE SmackDown airs live tonight on the USA Network from the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.

  • Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes and Kevin Owens will go face-to-face
  • WWE Women’s United States Championship Tournament – 1st Round: Bianca Belair vs. Chelsea Green vs. Blair Davenport

AEW Prepares To Move Shows To Smaller Venues

AEW is making moves to refine its live event experience, starting with a winter lineup that features smaller, more intimate venues. Notable locations include the iconic Hammerstein Ballroom, among others in cities the company has previously visited. While the strategy signals a shift in AEW’s touring model, it also comes with logistical challenges.

According to Bryan Alvarez of Figure Four Weekly, one of the hurdles AEW is facing involves their production equipment. The promotion’s current lighting rig—known for its size and weight—proved incompatible with the smaller venues on their upcoming schedule.

To address this, AEW is reportedly retooling its setup to better suit these spaces. This adjustment is part of what is expected to be “a lot of changes” to the company’s production as it heads into 2024.

Why the Move to Smaller Venues?

AEW’s decision to pivot toward smaller arenas could stem from several factors. These more intimate settings can offer fans a closer, more electric experience while also addressing ticket demand in certain markets. Iconic locations like the Hammerstein Ballroom also bring a level of prestige and history that resonates with wrestling audiences.

While the lighting rig dilemma highlights the challenges of adapting to these venues, it’s clear AEW is committed to ensuring a smooth transition. The promise of updated production in the new year suggests fans can expect an evolved look and feel at AEW shows going forward.

What Could “A Lot of Changes” Mean?

The term “a lot of changes” has already sparked speculation among fans. From revamped lighting and staging to new camera setups or even enhanced audio systems, these adjustments could modernize AEW’s overall presentation while maintaining its distinct identity.

As AEW prepares for its winter run and looks toward the future, it’s clear the company is aiming to deliver a polished product that works for venues of all sizes. Whether it’s in a massive arena or a historic ballroom, AEW seems determined to make every show feel special.

Tony Khan Provides An Update On Toni Storm’s Future

AEW President Tony Khan has shed light on the status of “Timeless” Toni Storm following her recent dramatic announcement about retiring from professional wrestling.

Earlier this week, Storm made waves by declaring that she was stepping away from the ring after a string of high-profile losses. Reflecting on her recent setbacks, the former AEW Women’s World Champion stated, “I’ve failed at everything. I lost in AEW, I lost in Japan, I lost in Mexico. This is the last you’ll hear from me again.”

The heartfelt declaration left fans stunned, sparking concerns about the future of one of AEW’s most unique and charismatic stars.

Speaking during a media call on Thursday to promote the upcoming AEW Full Gear 2024 pay-per-view event, Khan addressed Storm’s emotional remarks and provided some clarity.

“Timeless Toni Storm has been a great world champion for AEW. I think reports of her demise have been greatly exaggerated,” Khan said. He added, “I still expect Toni Storm will have a great wrestling career, but she’s really struggling, clearly, with what’s happened. She lost the world title, she lost her protégé. I think she feels like she lost everything, and now she’s lost.”

Khan expressed hope for the return of Storm to AEW, emphasizing her importance to the promotion. “I hope Toni Storm can find herself and come back to us in AEW because Timeless Toni Storm is a great part of AEW,” he concluded.

What’s Next for Toni Storm?

It’s no secret that Storm has been one of AEW’s most captivating performers, particularly since embracing her “Timeless” persona. A mixture of old Hollywood glam and unhinged unpredictability, Storm’s character has been a breakout hit, offering some of AEW’s most entertaining segments in recent months.

Still, her losses in the ring—both in AEW and abroad—seem to have taken a toll on her confidence. Fans are left wondering if Storm’s comments signal a character-driven development or a genuine moment of introspection for the star.

As Full Gear approaches, Storm’s future remains a hot topic. Whether this is the end of “Timeless” Toni Storm or the start of her next great chapter, the wrestling world will be watching closely.

Kylie Rae Joins ‘WWE ID’ Program

Kylie Rae has signed on with WWE’s “Independent Development” program.

During Freelance Wrestling’s ‘Thursday Night Slammasters’ event, it was announced that Rae has joined the WWE ID program.

Rae has previously worked for AEW, TNA Wrestling, GCW, and many other promotions.

Source: eWn

TNA Impact Preview 11/21/2024

TNA Wrestling will present a new episode of TNA Impact tonight on AXS TV.

  • No DQ Match for TNA Knockouts Championship: Masha Slamovich (c) vs. Alisha Edwards
  • Ash by Elegance vs. Jody Threat
  • Trent Seven, Hammerstone & Jake Something vs. The Hardys & Ace Austin
  • Frankie Kazarian vs. Rhino

ROH Preview 11/21/2024

ROH TV tonight on HonorClub.

  • Ariya Daivari vs. Shingo Takagi
  • ROH Women’s Championship Proving Ground Match: Athena (c) vs. Leila Grey
  • Tomohiro Ishii vs. Mike Bennett
  • ROH World Television Championship: Brian Cage (c) vs. AR Fox
  • NJPW Strong Openweight Champion Gabe Kidd vs. Angelico
  • JD Drake & Beef vs. Shane Taylor Promotions
  • Kevin knight vs. Serpentico

AEW’s Kenny Omega Challenges NJPW Star To Match At Wrestle Dynasty

After spending all of 2024 sidelined due to a battle with diverticulitis, AEW’s Kenny Omega is officially ready to make his long-anticipated return to the ring. The former AEW World Champion wasted no time stirring the pot, issuing a challenge that could define NJPW’s Wrestle Dynasty on January 5, 2025. Omega is prepared to face NJPW STRONG Openweight Champion Gabe Kidd, with tensions between the two already boiling over after their heated exchange at NJPW’s Power Struggle event earlier this month.

The Challenge That Shook NJPW

In an interview with NJPW1972.com, Omega opened up about the incident with Kidd and expressed his desire to resolve their issues in the ring. Omega emphasized his respect for the business and the relationship between AEW and NJPW while laying the groundwork for a monumental clash.

“I’d like to address recent circumstances, and things that have happened with Gabe Kidd,” Omega stated. “I’ve had time to reflect after Power Struggle, and I feel I would regret not being able to make things right. I would hate for this situation to cause a rift between AEW and New Japan Pro-Wrestling. So after conversations I’ve had with President Tanahashi and other executives in NJPW, I’ve decided that if New Japan requests it, if Gabe requests it, and if the fans want it, then I will wrestle Gabe Kidd, as a professional, at Wrestle Dynasty January 5.”

This public challenge now puts the ball squarely in Kidd’s court. Known for his brash attitude, Kidd has already been vocal about his disdain for Omega, criticizing the former AEW star for his supposed arrogance during his NJPW appearances. With Wrestle Dynasty just weeks away, all eyes are on Kidd to see if he will accept what could be the biggest match of his career.

Plans Shift for Wrestle Dynasty

Omega’s challenge has not only captivated fans but also shaken up the plans for January 5. Omega was initially rumored to team up with NJPW legend Hiroshi Tanahashi to face The Young Bucks in a high-profile tag match. With Omega now setting his sights on Kidd, it appears those plans have been shelved—or perhaps transformed into a different storyline altogether. The Young Bucks, former AEW World Tag Team Champions, have already confirmed their participation in Wrestle Dynasty, though their opponents remain a mystery.

A New Year, A New Chapter for Omega

Omega’s return marks a significant moment not only for NJPW fans but for professional wrestling as a whole. Having been absent for an entire year due to illness, his comeback is expected to reignite his storied career while potentially solidifying his legacy in NJPW. A clash with Gabe Kidd offers an opportunity for both men to showcase their skills on one of wrestling’s biggest stages.

As the road to Wrestle Dynasty heats up, Omega’s challenge has set the stage for what could be one of the Tokyo Dome’s most talked-about matches. Will Gabe Kidd step up and seize the opportunity, or will Omega’s return take a different twist? Wrestling fans will have their answer soon enough.